Rolling Wave Planning
Rolling Wave Planning is a progressive elaboration project management technique where the work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, while work in the future is planned at a higher level. As the project progresses and more information becomes available, future work packages are detailed accordingly. This method is akin to developing the project in waves, hence the name. In schedule development, Rolling Wave Planning is particularly useful when projects have a long duration or when there is significant uncertainty about future phases of the project. It allows project managers to focus on immediate tasks while maintaining flexibility to adapt future plans based on evolving project dynamics, stakeholder requirements, or external factors. By planning in increments, project teams can incorporate lessons learned from early phases into later stages, improving overall project performance. It also helps in better resource allocation by focusing detailed planning efforts where they are most needed, reducing wasted effort on planning tasks that may change. Rolling Wave Planning aligns with iterative and agile methodologies, where responsiveness to change is crucial. It is beneficial in projects involving technology development, research, or innovation, where adaptability is key due to rapidly changing environments or requirements. In summary, Rolling Wave Planning enhances schedule development by providing a structured yet flexible approach, allowing for detailed short-term planning while keeping long-term plans adaptable.
Rolling Wave Planning: A Comprehensive Guide for PMI-SP Exam
What is Rolling Wave Planning?
Rolling Wave Planning is an iterative planning technique in which work to be accomplished in the near term is planned in detail, while work further in the future is planned at a higher level. It is a progressive elaboration approach where planning for upcoming work becomes more detailed as the work gets closer.
Why is Rolling Wave Planning Important?
Rolling Wave Planning is crucial in project management because:
1. It acknowledges the reality that details about future work may not be fully known at the project's outset.
2. It allows project teams to adapt to changing conditions and new information as the project progresses.
3. It balances the need for detailed planning with the reality that too much detailed planning too far in advance can waste resources when plans inevitably change.
4. It provides a structured approach to incorporating progressive elaboration into schedule management.
5. It creates more realistic and manageable schedules by focusing detailed planning efforts on imminent work.
How Rolling Wave Planning Works
1. Initial Planning Phase: The entire project is planned at a high level, with near-term activities planned in detail.
2. Wave Definition: Project work is divided into "waves" or time periods (often aligned with reporting periods).
3. Detailed Planning: Only the immediate wave is planned in detail with specific tasks, durations, resources, and dependencies.
4. High-Level Planning: Future waves are represented as planning packages or summary activities.
5. Progressive Elaboration: As the project progresses and a future wave approaches, it is decomposed into detailed activities.
6. Continuous Process: This cycle continues throughout the project lifecycle.
Rolling Wave Planning in Schedule Development
In schedule development, Rolling Wave Planning manifests as:
- Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) components at various levels of detail
- Near-term work decomposed to the work package level
- Future work kept at planning package level until appropriate time
- Schedule network diagrams with varying granularity based on time horizon
- Detailed resource assignments for immediate activities
- General resource forecasts for future waves
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Rolling Wave Planning
1. Recognize Key Terminology: Be familiar with terms like "progressive elaboration," "planning packages," and "iterative planning."
2. Understand When to Apply: Rolling Wave Planning is particularly useful for projects with:
- Long durations
- High uncertainty
- Evolving requirements
- Multiple phases
3. Know the Boundaries: Remember that despite its flexibility, Rolling Wave Planning still requires:
- A complete high-level plan for the entire project
- Clear decision points for when to detail future waves
- Proper documentation of assumptions for future work
4. Relationship to Other Concepts: Connect Rolling Wave Planning to:
- Progressive elaboration in the PMBOK Guide
- Iterative and agile approaches
- Risk management (as a risk response strategy for uncertainty)
- Change management processes
5. Common Question Scenarios:
- Identifying when Rolling Wave Planning is appropriate
- Determining what level of detail is needed at various project stages
- Understanding how to transition from high-level to detailed planning
- Managing stakeholder expectations with this approach
6. Calculation Considerations: You may need to:
- Calculate estimates at different confidence levels for near vs. future work
- Understand how to aggregate planning packages into the overall schedule
- Apply appropriate contingency reserves based on planning horizon
7. Situational Application: Be ready to apply Rolling Wave Planning to scenario-based questions that might ask you to determine:
- The appropriate planning horizon for a given project
- When to elaborate future waves
- How to balance detailed vs. high-level planning
Remember that in the PMI-SP exam, Rolling Wave Planning is viewed as a best practice when dealing with schedule uncertainty, not as a shortcut to avoid proper planning.
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